Postnatal Doula Service
During the time after birth, families can benefit from some extra support as they adjust to life with an expanded family. I have been working with families all my life and specifically in the role of birth and postnatal doula for almost 10 years. Each family is unique and has different requirements, my aim is to provide flexible, open and non-judgemental support for you and your family. We can explore together what would best suit your families needs.
Some of the things you can expect from my postnatal doula service include:
Some of the things you can expect from my postnatal doula service include:
- An opportunity to share your experience and your birth story (perhaps with the aid of talking mats)
- Feeding, biological nurturing and general baby care support and ideas
- Empathic listening, emotional support and reassurance
- Signposting of relevant information and evidence based research
- Supply of homemade recovery food and herbal teas and the preparation of plantbased meals for you and your family. I can also provide nutritional information and considerations on foods that will support you.
- 10-15 minute reflexology sessions for you or your baby focussing on any particular issues you may be experiencing (full sessions can also be requested, I am a fully qualified reflexologist)
- Rebozo rocking, gentle belly massage or belly binding to aid your physical recovery as well as information on pelvic care
- Recommendations and supply of herbs for baths and healing
- Taking care of the baby, giving you time out to rest or do other things
- Interaction, songs, massage and developmental play for your baby (I have degrees in Education and Psychology)
- Practical help with light housework and laundry
- Taking care of siblings
"Thank you so much for all you have done for me over the past 5 months - your help has been invaluable. You are like an angel appearing once a week and picking up on all the things I haven't been able to do. You have kept me fed and watered, been a listening ear, a sounding board and a wonderful carer for my children when I haven't been there. You have been such a great support. My strength and confidence now in work and in my new expanded family has come in no small part to you and your understated and warm manner" (Laura, postnatal doula client)
"Fiona is very kind, caring and attentive, she anticipated our needs even before we mention anything. As first time parents with no immediate family around, Fiona's help during the postnatal period gave us precious time to rest and bond with our little one." (Sim, postnatal doula client)
"Fiona has a calm, warm and confident way with children that my baby immediately responded to. From the start, my daughter loved her completely. Whenever Fiona looked after our daughter I knew I'd come back to a happy smiley baby who'd spent the afternoon playing games and singing songs. Having that bit of space in the week also helped me be a better mum." (Caitlin)
"I was able to relax and have some down time. A new baby is a big responsibility and I needed some time off. This was especially important for me because I don’t have family nearby.Having a doula also helped me to enjoy being a parent more, because I wasn’t always trying to take care of the baby and do other jobs at the same time. I could give the baby to Fiona and then quickly and efficiently do many other things. I especially appreciated it that Fiona could play with my older child as well as the baby. The older child felt like he was having a special visitor and really appreciated the adult attention. My husband is really glad we have a doula. Fiona was also great at pitching in with odd jobs around the house. She helped with laundry, cooking and even buying groceries sometimes. When Fiona arrived, I often felt like I’d hit the bottom and was barely managing. By the time she left I’d sort of been picked up and dusted off, ready to go again. " (L, postnatal doula client)
"Fiona is very kind, caring and attentive, she anticipated our needs even before we mention anything. As first time parents with no immediate family around, Fiona's help during the postnatal period gave us precious time to rest and bond with our little one." (Sim, postnatal doula client)
"Fiona has a calm, warm and confident way with children that my baby immediately responded to. From the start, my daughter loved her completely. Whenever Fiona looked after our daughter I knew I'd come back to a happy smiley baby who'd spent the afternoon playing games and singing songs. Having that bit of space in the week also helped me be a better mum." (Caitlin)
"I was able to relax and have some down time. A new baby is a big responsibility and I needed some time off. This was especially important for me because I don’t have family nearby.Having a doula also helped me to enjoy being a parent more, because I wasn’t always trying to take care of the baby and do other jobs at the same time. I could give the baby to Fiona and then quickly and efficiently do many other things. I especially appreciated it that Fiona could play with my older child as well as the baby. The older child felt like he was having a special visitor and really appreciated the adult attention. My husband is really glad we have a doula. Fiona was also great at pitching in with odd jobs around the house. She helped with laundry, cooking and even buying groceries sometimes. When Fiona arrived, I often felt like I’d hit the bottom and was barely managing. By the time she left I’d sort of been picked up and dusted off, ready to go again. " (L, postnatal doula client)
I charge £18 per hour for postnatal support. If you have experienced some form of trauma I would recommend booking a birth exploration session.